How to Decorate a Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree (and Living Room!)

Create a warm, classic Ralph Lauren Christmas with rich reds, navy, tartan ribbon, velvet ornaments, magnolia stems, and timeless traditional accents. Get all the ideas here!

When I started decorating our living room for Christmas this year, I did what I always do: I grabbed a cup of coffee, opened up to the newest Christmas collections, and soaked in all the trends popping up for the season. I made a little mental list of what I loved (those deep, moody colors!) and what didn’t quite feel like “us.” Then I walked through my own stash of Christmas decor and realized I could lean into those rich dark reds, classic navy blues, and forest greens that are having such a moment right now.

If you’ve been here a while, you know I love to alternate between traditional and non-traditional color schemes from year to year.

My kitchen and bedroom Christmas decor tend to stay pretty traditional, like old friends I don’t want to change too much. But my living room? That’s where I love to play. A few new ribbons, a couple of ornaments, maybe a charming little figurine, but mostly I reinvent the space by mixing and matching what I already own in fresh, unexpected ways. It keeps things fun and budget-friendly while still feeling new.

Last year’s theme might go down as one of my all-time favorites: an Orange, Blue and Brown Christmas palette. Oh my goodness, it was stunning! It carried us beautifully from fall into Christmas and even well into winter. So many of the touches I used, like my beloved plaid pillows and the layered bookshelf decor, stayed out until spring without missing a beat. But that means this year is time to take things more traditional, which I did! Wanna come and see?

Plans for my Classic Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas Living Room

After seeing the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” trend on social media and the infusion of dark reds, greens and blues, I knew I wanted to bring some of that timeless, cozy lodge feeling into our home this year.

Here’s the Classic Christmas vision:

Last year was the first time I didn’t add our family ornaments to the main tree, and I think I’m sticking with that again. I put the sentimental ones on the tree in our bedroom so the living room tree can be the “fancy one” and I love it.

Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas in my Living Room

And here’s how my vision turned out!

ROOM SOURCES: Mantel Garland | Magnolia Stems | Pomegranate Stems | Green Velvet Stockings | Red Velvet Stockings | Plaid Stocking for Dog | Hanging Bells | Mini Wreaths | 55″ Frame TV | Christmas TV Art | Chinoiserie Planters | Boxwood Topiaries | Christmas Tree | Wide Red Velvet Ribbon | Red Tartan Ribbon | Green and Navy Tartan Ribbon | Brown Ornaments | Red Velvet Ornaments | Navy Velvet Ornaments | Antique-style Blue Rug | Sectional in Twill Fabric |

I love the pops of blue, red and green, mixed with gold and silver, too. I think when I did red last time, and didn’t love it, I needed more colors mixed it. I think I’ve learned about myself that I have to incorporate blues into my Christmas decor, either with navy, chambray or light blue. It just makes my heart happy. If my decor is missing blue, I feel like something’s off. Ha!

All of the ribbon was already in my stash. I just mixed it all together! I layered in my old gold and silver ornaments, pinecones, magnolia leaves, brass bells, and the velvet ornaments in this year’s color palette. The only new ornaments I bought were the dark red velvet and navy velvet bulbs.

I love how all of the traditional, classic elements came together to bring this theme to life! I’m just so happy with it.

A Surprise Santa Theme, Too!

The funny thing is that after I made all of my plans for this year’s decor, a little sub-theme snuck in: Santa! I pulled out some of my favorite pictures of the girls visiting Santa over the years, printed them, and framed them. They’re so classic and sentimental to me.

Then, on a TJ Maxx run (as one does), I spotted the most gorgeous Santa throw pillows and knew they had to come home with me. They were exactly the nostalgic, traditional vibe I was going for.

Once I realized I had unintentionally created a Santa moment, I leaned into it, adding my Santa ornaments to the tree and displaying a beautiful leather-bound edition of The Night Before Christmas with an old-fashioned Santa on the cover. It all ties in with my Santa mugs and Santa salt-and-pepper shakers in the kitchen, so it felt right.

I even grabbed all of the Santa ornaments off my other tree and mixed them in with this one.

Honestly, I probably should have bought Santa wrapping paper too, but instead I leaned into the “Ralph Lauren Polo Bear” idea and snagged the cutest dressed-up Christmas bear from TJ Maxx. He might be a little out of place this year, but I adore him. I’ll probably keep him for years and eventually display him upstairs in our loft nook.

Asymmetrical Classic Christmas Mantel

Can a mantel be asymmetrical and classic? I’m voting yes! I usually swoop my garland, either one big swoop or two smaller ones, but this year I decided to try something different: a full, asymmetrical garland with no swoops at all. Just typing that makes me laugh. Who knew garland placement required this much thought?

For the first time ever, I placed the garland directly across the front of the mantel. Then I tucked in pomegranate stems and magnolia stems, finishing the ends with pretty red velvet bows. Our velvet red-and-green and plaid stockings hang from hooks that screw in under the mantel (I remove them after Christmas and you’d never know!).

The garland is so full and beautiful that I kept the top of the mantel simple: a framed version of one of my free Christmas printables on one side and our new Christmas countdown on the other. Minimal, sweet, and the perfect pairing with that lush greenery.

And the boxwood topiaries? I simply tied little bows to coordinate with the tree. Cute and effortless!

Classic Christmas Bookshelf Decor

I placed my new-to-me-last-year nativity on my bookshelf this year and I love it! I tried to mix in pops of red with a picture frame, Santa, ribbons and some free printable Christmas art (grab yours here!).

It all feels simple, classic, and collected—using mostly items that live on the bookshelf year-round. It really doesn’t take much to give your home a festive touch.

How to Decorate A Ralph Lauren Christmas Tree?

Oh friend, if you’re dreaming of that classic Ralph Lauren Christmas look, the kind that feels like a cozy lodge wrapped in tartan and candlelight, you’re speaking my love language. This is such a timeless style, and the good news is: you can absolutely pull it together with the pieces you listed. Let me walk you through it step-by-step, just like we’re styling it together in your living room with Christmas music playing and hot cocoa on the side.

1. Start with a Warm White Glow

Before anything else, load that tree with warm white lights. Ralph Lauren style is all about ambiance… think fireside glow.

• Aim for lots of lights, tucked deep into the branches. Learn how to put them on here.
• Add a few closer to the tips for sparkle, but keep most nestled inside so the whole tree feels layered and rich.
• Or buy a tree with tons of lights already on it, like me!

2. Add Your Tartan Ribbon (the Secret Sauce!)

Tartan truly makes the RL look.

• Cut your ribbon into 3–4 ft strips, then tuck and billow them in a loose, almost effortless way.
• Let the tartan weave in and out, never too perfect, just that collected, timeless charm.
• If you have multiple patterns, layer a thin velvet ribbon over a wider tartan for extra depth, or vice versa, like me!
• I continued the theme with my reversible tartan tree skirt!

3. Mix Your Metals Like a Pro

Gold + silver is so RL — sophisticated without being stuffy.

• Scatter both evenly through the tree, avoiding big clusters of one metal.
• Think of them like jewelry: they should add shimmer without taking over the story.

4. Bring in the Luxe Velvet Bulbs

Those red velvet and navy velvet ornaments are the heartbeat of this palette.

• Place the navy ornaments deeper in the tree to create that moody, layered backdrop.
• Use the red velvet bulbs more toward the outer edges for warmth and color pop.
• This contrast is what gives you the “library room at Christmas” vibe.

5. Add Magnolia Stems for Southern RL Charm

Magnolia leaves bring a rich, traditional texture.

• Tuck stems into the top two-thirds of the tree, with the glossy green or warm brown sides angled outward depending on your room’s palette.
• Use them sparingly—like elegant flourishes, not filler.

6. Layer in Your Gold Berry Picks

These add sparkle and dimension.

• Angle some upward and some downward to mimic natural movement.
• Focus on the spots where your ribbon dips in—berry picks look so pretty tucked right where the ribbon disappears.
• I did mine at the top of the tree, so your choice how to add these to your tree!

7. Add Your Santa Ornaments for Personality

Ralph Lauren doesn’t shy away from charm or nostalgia.

• Sprinkle these Santas around the tree where the eye naturally falls.
• Place one or two front-and-center so they feel special.

8. Finish with a Handsome, Masculine Tree Topper

Skip the bow this year and go with something that feels a little more rugged and lodge-inspired.

• A wooden star is perfect: warm, natural, and timeless.
• You can angle a few magnolia leaves or tartan ribbon tails just beneath it to tie the top into the rest of the tree, but keep the star as the main moment.
• The wood grain brings that rich, masculine energy Ralph Lauren is known for, almost like a nod to a rustic cabin or gentleman’s study.

Final Look

You’ll end up with a tree that feels:
✨ Rich
✨ Cozy
✨ Traditional
✨ Collected
✨ Layered
✨ And so Ralph Lauren Christmas Lodge

It’s the kind of tree that makes you want to curl up with a wool throw, soft carols, and a cup of something warm!

Final Thoughts

As I step back and look at our living room this year, I can’t help but smile. This Classic Ralph Lauren–inspired Christmas theme feels so warm, so collected, and so “us.” I love how the rich colors, the layered textures, and all those little nostalgic touches came together to create a space that feels both refined and wonderfully cozy for our real family life.

Whether you’re building your own version of a classic Christmas, trying a new color palette, or simply refreshing what you already have, I hope this inspires you to create a home that feels like a warm and cozy during the holidays. Mix, match, experiment, and let your creativity lead the way.

Merry Christmas, sweet friend, and thanks for hanging out with me in our decorated holiday home. I’m so grateful you’re here. ❤️🎄✨

If you try a Ralph-Lauren-inspired look this year, tag me on Instagram or send a photo. I’d love to see what you create!

Other Rooms Decorated for Christmas

I don’t plan on changing too many other rooms this year. So, if you want to see my other rooms decorated for Christmas, come and take a look…

• Christmas Kitchen
• Christmas Bedrooms
• Christmas Dining Room
• Christmas Office